Electric Automation

Do you want easy and seamless connectivity? Embedded in sustainable and compatible concepts? With open platforms, even for the Industry 4.0? Festo supports you on your path to integrated automation of machines and systems with mechanical, electrical and intelligent automation modules that interact flawlessly and do not impose any technical restrictions on you. Get an overview of our range of electric automation products and suitable engineering tools here.

You compose the perfect melody for your song. Compose your perfect servo drive package too. With seamless connectivity.

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Cartesian handling systems - a technical comparison with conventional robots

Why is it worthwhile to use Cartesian handling systems?

The trend in conventional assembly and handling solutions is moving from robots to energy-efficient and cost-optimized systems. And no wonder, conventional robot solutions are too large-scale for many applications and frequently offer more functions and degrees of freedom than are actually required.

Energy-efficient and cost-optimized 2D and 3D systems - whether in a technology mix with electrical and pneumatic components or components that are purely pneumatic, purely electrical - can be adapted more easily and efficiently to linear and rotational applications. Optimizations in mechanical systems, procurement, programming and installation space can be exploited more effectively.

This white paper contains information on:

  • Cartesian handling systems in an overview
  • Functional differences between the various systems
  • Key factors and selection aids for selecting a handling system

Download White Paper (PDF)

White paper: Robots

There's one for every job - How to choose the right one

In the popular imagination, robots are large, dumb machines for doing dull, muscular, repetitive tasks with precision and accuracy. That’s only part of today’s robotics world. Robots now come in many sizes and configurations, with two to seven axes. They can do simple or complicated work, even surgery. For both factory and process automation, there’s one to suit just about any application or budget – anywhere productivity can be enhanced by automating the movement of tooling or payloads, or performing production tasks better or faster. Payloads can be anything from computer chips weighing a gram to locomotive wheelsets weighing over a ton.

This white paper provides information on:

  • Automation 3.0: History of robotics
  • Different types of robot technologies
  • Benefits and limitations of each technology
  • Factors to consider in selecting the right robot for the job

Download White Paper (PDF)

Seamless connectivity

Benefit from an integrated range of solutions from Festo: from mechanics to complete servo drive systems, state-of-the-art communication and control concepts to digitalization with suitable Cloud solutions – supplemented by innovative software solutions for engineering, configuration and commissioning.

Automate everything that moves, on a single unified platform.

Always stay flexible with Festo, because you determine yourself the extent to which you automate with us and which of our products you use in conjunction with your in-house standards – now and in the future.

Mechanical Connectivity

Regardless of whether it involves linear movement, rotation, gripping or stopping: our electromechanical axes and modules leave nothing to be desired and can be used to achieve virtually every common automation task in machines and systems – perfectly coordinated with our servomotors or your in-house standard.

Our mechanical highlights

Electrical Connectivity

Easily connect your mechanics and control technology with our servo drives and servo motors. Profit from simple engineering, perfectly coordinated hardware and complete flexibility thanks to direct integration into virtually any automation environment – including commissioning with just a few steps in the Festo Automation Suite software.

Our servo drive highlights

Intelligent Connectivity

Benefit from free, diverse communication and direct, complete integration into higher-level control concepts. Make your automation solutions more flexible and modular with comprehensive, decentralized motion control solutions from Festo – supported by innovative software solutions.

Our control highlights

Seamless connectivity in a nutshell

Flexible and effortless automation with seamless connectivity - and yet at the highest state of the art level! Learn how to do this using the example of a Productivity Master (2:20 min.).

Our highlight products in electric automation

Installation and control concepts influence each other. This means that automation architectures have to be cleverly networked to achieve seamless connectivity. Hardware and software work together intelligently on the Festo Automation Platform – a perfect and seamless combination of controller, servo drive and mechanics. The wide range of mechanical systems offers a solution for virtually any motion requirement. And the Festo Automation Suite software ensures quick and perfect commissioning of all electrical and mechanical hardware components.

Newest Products and Solutions at a Glance

Digital Engineering Tools

With our online engineering tools, you can design your solution easily and reliably, regardless of your level of expertise. They allow you to quickly create a valid configuration, precisely select components, create the required documentation, and perform necessary calculations. And get your solution up and running in just a few steps. Why not take a look at the overview right now and find the right tool to make your everyday work easier.

From actual practice

A new part every 2.5 seconds

Primon application

Primon Automazioni relies on Festo expertise

Many system integrators are asking themselves whether they should be using electric drive technology instead of traditional pneumatic actuators. This is a strategy the Italian company Primon Automazioni has been following for many years. In doing so, Primon has gained valuable experience in terms of reliability, flexibility and modularity. The latest example is the new production line for assembling hydraulic connectors for automotive applications.

Greatly accelerated cycle times

Electric automation at Primon

The Italian machine builder's latest system development is a completely autonomous assembly line for hydraulic connectors for automotive applications. It consists of several fully automatic assembly stations featuring electric axes, brushless motors and servo drives from Festo and can produce a part every 2.5 seconds. The machine stores the programs for all 30 possible connector configurations in its memory so the production line can automatically configure itself, based on the workpiece that has been loaded, by adjusting the working strokes of all axes. This high flexibility is all thanks to the in-house developed software that also ensures the machine is easy to operate for the customer. This all while fast technical updates continuously optimize the solution’s function and efficiency.

From traditional pneumatics to electric drive technology

Electric automation at Primon

Festo has been a leading provider of electromechanical actuators for many years. Alongside its partners, Festo is actively shaping technological change, as shown by the new servo drives CMMT, the servo motors EMMT-AS, the brushless stepper motors EMMS-ST and the Festo Automation Suite which was introduced in 2018. Primon Automazioni’s strategic vision for fully electric automation is reflected in the combination of the new compact axes ELGC/EGSC and the high performance of the new servo drive CMMT. By gathering, monitoring and analyzing the data provided by the CMMT and integrating it perfectly into the host systems, the company is taking a huge step forward in its digitalization journey. At Primon Automazioni, remote management and remote assistance are established practices. Using the Festo Automation Suite via a VPN connection set up by the customer, the operation of the assembly line can be continuously monitored and adapted, without having to be present on site.

The company

Primon Automazioni logo

Primon Automazioni, based in Verbania, Italy, was founded in the 1970s and specializes in the development of customized machines according to customer needs. This includes synchronous and asynchronous pallet transfer lines, rotary tables, test islands for leak tests and robotized assembly and test stations.

These Customers Use Electric Automation